Tag Archives: Christopher Heyerdahl

AMC’s hit western drama Hell on Wheels finally reached the end of its tracks this summer (bad pun fully intended) with the end of its fifth season. The series’ end had been announced well before Season 5 started. That didn’t make it any less difficult to see such a standout series comes to its end. For those who didn’t want the series to come to its end, its final episodes were released on DVD and Blu-ray at November’s opening. There is plenty to say about the series’ final volume of episodes beginning with the work of the show’s writers. That will be discussed shortly. The work of the show’s cast is just as important to note here as that of the show’s writers. The bonus material included in this final volume of episodes rounds out its most important elements. Each element plays its own clearly important in the collection’s presentation. All things considered, Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 proves to be a fitting final farewell for one of the best serials to come along in recent memory.

Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 is a fitting final farewell for a show that is one of the best serials to come along in recent memory. That statement is supported in part through the work of the show’s writers. Once again the series’ writers managed in these final seven episodes to keep audiences completely engaged as they wrapped up all of the loose ends left from the first half of the season. Not to give away too much, one of those loose ends might leave some audiences really disliking Cullen even despite everything else. The writers did a good job of showing the difficulty in Cullen’s decision here. But it’s still difficult to not dislike Cullen’s choice or to not dislike Cullen himself for that choice. It is truly a heart wrenching moment. It’s just one of the loose ends that is wrapped up in these final episodes. Viewers finally see the end of Thor Gundersen in these final episodes, too. This is perhaps the one moment in which the writers slipped up. Every time it seemed like Cullen had finally finished off Thor, he was still alive. That is until he finally meets his fate. That moment is brutal in itself to watch. Getting back on topic, the fact that Thor just kept coming back up until that moment made it seem like the writers weren’t entirely certain how to finish off Thor, so they used the different scenarios to keep the story moving in hopes that audiences wouldn’t mind his multiple deaths. At the same time, finally presenting Thor’s past served to illustrate why he had become such an angry person. So that makes up for the issues of Thor’s many deaths up until his final death. One of the most surprising moments in which the writers’ work shines comes as Cullen is called to testify against Thomas Durant in Washington, D.C. Cullen’s reaction as he sits before the committee was completely surprising. It also showed in its own way perhaps another realization by Cullen about who he was in comparison to Durant. That deeper element makes this moment stand out even more. It’s just one more moment that exhibits the importance of the series’ writers in these final seven episodes. There are so many others that could be cited. But there isn’t enough time or space to cover them all. Audiences will have to find them for themselves when they purchase or order this final volume of Hell on Wheels’ episodes. While the work of the series’ writers clearly exhibits its own importance in the collection’s presentation, it is not the only important element to note. The work of the series’ cast is just as important to note as the work of the series’ writers.

The work put in by Hell on Wheels’ writers in its final episodes goes a long way toward making them entertaining and engaging. That is evident through the moments discussed here and through so many other moments. Even with this in mind, the writers’ work is not the only work that makes these episodes so entertaining. The cast’s work interpreting each episode’s script is just as important to note as the writers’ work. One of the most notable moments that exemplifies the importance of the cast’s work comes as Thomas Durant sees first hand the death of someone very close to him. He finally saw for himself the impact of his schemes. It was clear from that moment on that he was not the same man anymore. Colm Meaney’s handling of the moment made that traumatic moment so powerful. He didn’t try to ham it up and scream, “nooooo” or anything else. He merely had to look at what had happened to fully display the impact that the moment had on him. His narration of the events leading to the moment, so calm yet clearly so hurt, added to the moment’s emotion. Meaney handled it all with such expertise. As devious as Durant had been throughout, this one moment actually will lead audiences to feel some level of sympathy for him. Again, that is thanks to Meaney’s handling of the situation. He is to be so highly applauded for his work here. Fellow star Anson Mount is to be just as applauded for his display as he handles his own emotional struggles. For so long throughout this series, Cullen has proven to be a rock solid figure in terms of his emotions. But here in these final episodes, that façade finally begins to crack as he is forced to make some very difficult decisions. One of the most intriguing of those moments comes as he encounters a Native American at a stream. The pair stares one another down, waiting to see what the other will do. It is a short moment, but when one looks back, it explains why Cullen told Grant he wasn’t an indian killer. The defiance in his voice as he makes that clear to Grant makes so much more sense when one considers that moment. There were no words, only actions and emoting. Yet it was such a powerful moment. Both Mount and his co-star shined brightly in that simple moment, showing once more than importance of the cast’s work to these episodes’ presentation. As with the work of the show’s writers, there are so many other moments that could be cited in explaining the importance of the cast’s work. But that would take far too much time and space. So, again, audiences will find plenty of other examples when they purchase or order Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 for themselves. Keeping this in mind, the work of the series’ writers and cast are obviously both important to the episodes’ presentation here. They are just two of the series’ most important elements. The bonus material included in the episodes’ recent home release is just as important to note in their presentation as the writing and acting behind each episode.

The work of Hell on Wheels’ writers and cast are both pivotal to the series’ continued entertainment in its final episodes. The writers managed to wrap up the show’s leftover loose ends relatively well and keep audiences entertained and engaged in the process. The cast did just as much to entertain audiences as evidenced through the work of Colm Meaney and Anson Mount (and their cast mates). While the work of the series’ cast and writers is undeniably important to the presentation of its final episodes, they are just two of the elements that make this collection’s presentation enjoyable. The bonus material that is included with the collection is just as important to note as the writing and acting in these episodes. As with each of the series’ previous installments each episode is coupled with its own “Inside the Episode” audio commentary. Needless to say, that commentary is not to be missed. The other bonus material is less extensive. But it does a good job bringing everything full circle. “Golden Spike” is the shortest of the bonuses. It last all of perhaps a couple of minutes, if that. But audiences learn through this little piece that the golden spike was very real. They also learn that allegedly every telegraph in the country was silenced on the day that the golden spike was hammered into the transcontinental railroad. That was so that when the message was delivered—by the strike of the hammer—every person in the country would know that was the moment when the spike was being driven. That is something that generally isn’t taught in history classes at any level, so it is interesting to learn. “Wrap Up” and “A Look At The Final Episodes” are both interesting in their own way as they offer the cast and crew the chance to comment on the importance of the episodes’ stories as well as working on the final episodes. Viewers will be most intrigued to learn of Anson Mount’s connection to Cullen as he discusses topics such as Cullen having to kill and bury Elam, who had become such a friend to Cullen. Robin McLeavy also gets the chance to discuss Eva’s personal growth from the series’ opening to the final episode. This discussion is just as important to take in because it reminds audiences that while Eva might not have been one of the series’ marquee characters, she was still very integral to its development in her own right. It’s just one more discussion that exhibits the importance of this collection’s bonus material. There are so many other discussions both in the shorter features and the episode-length commentaries that add their own depth to the collection. When they are joined with the discussions noted here, the whole of that bonus material proves to be just as important to the collection as the episodes and their content. When all three elements are combined, they make clear why Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 is a fitting final farewell for what is one of the best serials to come along in a long time.

Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 is a fitting farewell for a series that is one of the best serials to come along in a long time. Considering how many serials are out there today versus standalone series, that is saying a lot. From day one, this series has proven to be a serial actually worth watching. This collection is no different. It shows just as much why the series is worth the watch whether one is a fan of dramas or a western fan. That is evidenced primarily through the work of the series’ writers. Even with perhaps one or two minor slip-ups here and there, the writers succeeded by and large in these final episodes. The cast was just as entertaining as ever, too. The bonus material that accompanies the work of the series’ cast and writers rounds everything out. That is because it brings everything full circle all while keeping audiences just as engaged as ever. Each element is important in its own right to the collection. All things considered, Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 proves, again, to be a fitting farewell to a rare serial that is actually worth watching. It is available now in stores and online. More information on Hell on Wheels: Season 5 – Volume 2 is available online now along with more information on Hell on Wheels at:

This Saturday, AMC’s hit western serial Hell on Wheels returns for its fifth and final season. For those that perhaps might have missed out on the events of the hit drama’s fourth season and who in turn don’t want to spoil things for themselves, AMC and eOne have announced that those fans won’t have to wait much longer for Season Four to hit store shelves out online outlets.

AMC and eOne have announced that Hell on Wheels: The Complete Fourth Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, August 11th. Hell on Wheels’ fourth season picks up right where Season Three left off. Audiences find Cullen marrying the now pregnant Naomi and having to live in the Mormon fort where she and other Mormons currently live. Making things even more tense is the fact that The Swede (Christopher Heyerdahl) is there, pretending to be the church leader Bishop Dutson. Thomas Durant (Colm Meaney) is back in charge of the Union Pacific Railroad, which had succeeded in its western expansion, making it all the way to Cheyenne. Elam (Common) has recovered from the injuries sustained in a bear attack at the end of Season Three, which happened as Elam had been searching for Cullen. Season Four sees the fallout from all of these events and more as the railroad continues its expansion. Audiences can check out a trailer for Season Four’s upcoming home release online now via Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/118781754.

Courtesy: AMC/eOne

Along with its gripping story lines, Hell on Wheels: The Complete Fourth Season also boasts a handful of bonuses for fans including: a behind the scenes look at Season Four, an introduction to the new characters introduced in Season Four, episode specific featurettes, and much more. The complete list of bonuses featured in Hell on Wheels: The Complete Fourth Season is listed below.

BONUS FEATURES:

A Look at Season 4

The New Characters of Season 4

Cheyenne Set Tour

Anson Mount Retrospective

On the Set with Colm Meaney

On the Set with Jake Weber

Episode Featurettes

As the days count down to the premiere of Hell on Wheels’ final season and the home release of Season Four, audiences can keep up with all of the latest from the show online at:

Hell on Wheels: The Complete Third Season will be released on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, July 15th. Season Three follows the continuing saga of former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon as he works with the Union Pacific on its westward construction. Season Three picks up after the attack by a group of Native Americans on the railroad encampment that closed out Season Two. Also in Season Three, audiences see Cullen make his plans to take over the Union Pacific and get it across the country.

One of AMC’s top series, it has been credited for helping to modernize the once powerhouse Western genre on television. The upcoming complete third season’s release comes only weeks before the premiere of the series’ fourth season on Saturday, August 2nd.

Hell on Wheels: The Complete Third Season comes with its own compliment of bonus features along with every one of Season Three’s episodes. Those bonus features include: An inside look at Season Three, a recap of season two, a set tour with Common, Behind The Music featurettes, and an “Inside The Episode” featurette with each of Season Three’s ten episodes.

R.L. Stine and The Hub are back with two more volumes of seriously scary stories for kids and their parents. The Haunting Hour Vol. 3 & 4 offer audiences ten more tales of terror that will entertain and scare audiences every time they turn them on. This latest pair of volumes offers not only five great episodes each, but some star power, too. The Haunting Hour Vol. 3 boats guest appearances from the likes of Robert Capron (Diary of a Wimpy Kid), Maddison Pettis (Cory in the House), Christopher Heyerdahl (Hell on Wheels, Sanctuary), and others. Apparently, Heyerdahl has a thing for playing villains, much like Tim Curry, as he takes on the role of quite the scary character in the episode, ‘Fear Never Knocks.’ Heyerdahl’s character is absolutely creepy in his role in this episode, terrorizing a pair of children who stumble upon their grandfather’s “box of fear.” He is released when young Jenny decides to play with the box, and releases both her fears and those of her brother and fear itself (played by Heyerdahl). Also in Volume Three, Maddison Pettis is one of three kids that get caught up in a supernatural story that brings the past and present together thanks to a mysterious mask. The mask shows events that happened in the past, which themselves lead to another mystery that will leave viewers guessing right up to the end of the story. And in another of the set’s best episodes, Robert Capron plays a young man whose overactive apetite leads him to get much more than he hoped for after a strange ice cream truck starts making rounds through the boy’s neighborhood. This is an episode that will send “chills” (ba-dump-bump-bump) through every viewer, and will make them think twice next time they see an ice cream truck come through their neighborhood. What’s more, it’s a valuable warning against over eating, too, ironically enough. It’s little things like this, and the writing for the other noted episodes that make The Haunting Hour Volume Three another nice inclusion for any fan of ghost stories and of R.L. Stine’s work.

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/The Hub

The scares don’t stop with Volume Three of The Haunting Hour. Fans will also enjoy Volume Four, which was released alongside Volume Three. The show’s fourth volume offers even more scares, as well as guest appearances. It all opens with another episode that’s just as much a warning as it is a scary story in ‘Wrong Number.’ Debby Ryan (The Suite Life on Deck, Radio Rebel) stars in this episode as Steffani. Steffani is a rather spoiled young woman that is the very stereotype of the stuck up “mean girl.” But she gets what’s coming to her when she and her friend decide to prank call an elderly woman one night. The consequences of her actions turn out to be deadly, as a matter of fact. This is just one of the many scary stories presented in The Haunting Hour Volume Four. Another equally terrifying tale included in this set is the episode, ‘Lights Out.’ Super 8 star Gabriel Basso stars as Teddy, a young teen skeptic who is pulled into a ghost hunt after watching a ghost hunt show on TV. Teddy’s friends set out to prove to him that ghosts are in fact real in their hunt for the supernatural. He learns that lesson in a way he never would have expected, nor will viewers who have never seen this episode. The twist ending will scare audiences to no end and leave them talking. As with Volume Three, what is presented here is just part of what makes Volume Four so enthralling. The stories presented in these two volumes are sure to scare and entertain both kids and adults alike.

The Haunting Hour recently wrapped its third season on The Hub network. Allegedly, a fourth season might be in production. That gives ample time for both seasons Two and Three to be released to DVD while fans await the show’s return to The Hub. Until then though, these last two volumes of Season One will keep audiences coming back again and again. All four volumes are available in stores and online and can be ordered online direct at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

Sanctuary’s end is here, fans. It was announced earlier this year that after the hit show’s fourth season came to an end, Syfy was not going to renew it for a fifth season. That being the case, the show has done a good job wrapping up some of the loose ends from its first season. In season four, fans finally see the conflict between Adam and Helen come to its conclusion. And the conflict between SCIU and the abnormals finally comes to a head in what can only be described as a bittersweet ending for the series.

Courtesy: Entertainment One

Season four opens with the episode, “Tempus.” In this episode, Helen travels back to London, 1898 to hunt down Adam. She has to find him because he had jumped back to save his daughter, Imogen. This is where things get dicey. In the process of trying to find Adam, she also encounters the old Adam. It later turns out after that encounter that the future Adam has taken Imogen, thus changing the future. However in what she believes to be a final conflict, Helen kills Adam and saves the future. The problem is that Imogen is inadvertently killed by Adam in the conflict. As a result of everything, Magnus is stuck in 1898, and has to live there in seclusion until 2011, so that she can resurface.

Magnus bides her time, finally able to resurface in 2011. But it would turn out that while she may have killed Adam in 1898, he pops up, so to speak in the episode, “Chimera.” Magnus and Tesla run into a digital copy of Adam in a manner of speaking when they enter the Sanctuary’s computer system in order to quarantine a virus that threatens to basically shut down all of the Sanctuary’s systems, and even go global. When they go into the computer, who should they run into but Adam, or a digital copy of his being. The digital Adam ends up trapping Helen and Tesla, leading to a game of cat and mouse that ends with Adam being the one who gets trapped in the digital world.

After dealing with the issue of Adam once and for all, Helen has another obstacle to face in rising tensions from the abnormals. Beginning with “Acolyte”, audiences get a hint that something very big is coming between the abnormals and the humans. Thanks to abnormal leader, Caleb, an all out war with the humans nearly happens. Thanks to efforts by Will, Magnus, and Tesla, that war is averted. But it’s at a high price. For those who haven’t seen how the series comes to an end, that won’t be given away. As a hint though, the very end of everything is actually happy. Though it does leave viewers wondering “what if.” What if Syfy had picked up the show for a fifth season? Either way, it can be said that at least it leaves viewers feeling like everything was wrapped up nicely.

Serials seem to be all the rage on television nowadays. All of the big four have at least one serial. And even the big cable networks have their own serials. Even cable movie channel, AMC saw some time ago that it couldn’t survive on modern movies alone. So it picked up Breaking Bad. Now, it’s got another hit on its hands with the new hit drama, “Hell on Wheels.”

“Hell on Wheels” is a good fit for AMC. That’s because its serial status aside, it comes across more as a movie than an actual television show. That’s not an entirely bad thing, either. It’s one more piece that shows–even as violent and sexually explicit as it got at times–that Westerns are still popular, even in the twenty-first century. Season one sees Confederate Civil War veteran Cullen Bohannan joining Thomas Durant’s Union Pacific railroad as it makes its way westward across the United States. Bohannan has joined the railroad in an attempt to hunt down the men who killed his wife and his son. Things aren’t easy at all for Bohannan while he’s in the railroad town of Hell on Wheels. The whole time he’s there, he’s constantly at odds with Durant’s head of security, Thor “The Swede” Gundersen. That’s not all, either. Not only does Bohannan have to deal with Gundersen, he also has to find Lily Bell, whose husband was working with Durant to plan the Union Pacific’s route. He also has to help take down the renegade Native Americans who killed Lily’s husband and derailed a train. There’s even what seems to be a bit of a budding romance between Bohannan and Lily. One can’t help but wonder though if anything will happen, considering how Season One ended.

Season One’s finale in mind, the writing behind “Hell on Wheels” makes for stories that both male and female audiences will love. There’s more than enough action amd beautiful cinematography throughout Season One to keep the attention of its male audiences. The drama of Durant and Gundersen backstabbing each other for their own devious purposes and the possibility of romance between Bohannan and Lily will pull in female audiences. There’s also the growing romance between Elam Ferguson and Eva that said audience will also grip said audiences. Of course, it should be noted that considering the mix of explicit violence and sexuality, “Hell on Wheels” is not proper for younger audiences.

The violence and sexuality aside, there’s something about “Hell on Wheels” that makes it stand out from other tv shows. It’s been noted by one source that “Hell on Wheels” comes across more as a movie on television than a standard tv serial. That’s actually a good description. The combination of cinematography, stories and acting all combine for a serial that has its own identity. Rather than doing the standard sparknotes style “previously on” opening, each time, each new episode picks up right where the previous episode left off. That straight forward opening forces audiences to watch the previous episodes. And audiences who do watch each episode are handsomely rewarded with a show that is one of the best serials on tv today. Now with Season One on dvd and blu-ray, audiences can only hope that after such an outstanding first impression, the show will continue to hold up its reputation when it reutns later this year for its second season.